WA HB1926

Requires the Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services to collaborate with stakeholders on a plan to integrate testing into home care aide training, using a phased transition that prioritizes programs already equipped to provide testing

Replaces the fixed 200-day certification deadline for long-term care workers with flexible timelines to be established by department rules

Mandates home care aide testing be available in qualified facility and community-based training programs by July 1, 2028, subject to appropriations

Requires individual providers represented by an exclusive bargaining representative to receive testing through a "training partnership affiliate" (a Washington nonprofit contracted with DSHS)

Expands annual examination evaluation from non-English languages to all languages, requiring translation review if any language group fails at disproportionately higher rates